Roller coaster

ABSTRACT

An amusement device comprises a lightweight coaster adapted to move by gravitation along a track configuration having portions of varying inclination. The track is supported at its elevated end by an assembly which also serves as a mounting platform, and at a point intermediate its ends by another support structure. Spaced apart, substantially convex parallel rails, on which coaster wheels having a substantially concave circumferential groove therein are adapted to ride, form the track. The coaster is generally box-shaped, substantially enclosed at the top, and houses a compartment in which the occupant sits and which includes a handle-bar assembly and a coaster release handle to initiate coaster motion. The wheels of the coaster are adjustable to control their speed of rotation.

United States Patent 1 Matelan [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,581,572 1/1952 Beauregard 104/69 2,505,659 4/1950 Barker 104/69 1,123,676 l/l915 Bule 104/69 Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-D. W. Keen Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien & Harvey B. Jacobson M T-Feb. 12, 1974 [5 7 ABSTRACT An amusement device comprises a lightweight coaster adapted to move by gravitation along a track configuration having portions of varying inclination. The track is supported at its elevated end by an assembly which also serves as a mounting platform, and at a point intermediate its ends by another support structure. Spaced apart, substantially convex parallel rails, on which coaster wheels having a substantially concave circumferential groove therein are adapted to ride, form the track. The coaster is generally boxshaped, substantially enclosed at the top, and houses a compartment in which the occupant sits and which includes a handle-bar assembly and a coaster release handle to initiate coaster motion. The wheels of the coaster are adjustable to control their speed of rotation.

5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB] 21974 SHEU 1 0f 2 ROLLER COASTER The present invention relates to amusement devices,

and more particularly to devices whereby a coaster is adapted to move along a track by gravitation.

Coaster and track amusement devices have been available for home recreation for some time. Generally, the devices have included a track assembly having varying inclinations, including dips and rises, and a coaster which is adapted to move along the track from its highest to its lowest point. However the devices known to the art have had numerous safety drawbacks which have limited their popularity and use. Most significant of these is the possibility that the coaster might derail while in motion and cause injury to the occupant. Also notable is the fact that most of these devices require the occupant to place an arm or a leg outside the coaster to initiate its motion, and then to withdraw the extremity rapidly to avoid injury thereto. Still another shortcoming of many coaster and track devices is that the coasters are substantially unenclosed, thereby exposing the occupant to the danger that a portion of the body might inadvertently strike a portion of the device while the coaster is in motion.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a coaster and track amusement device which is stable and will not derail while in motion.

It is another object of this invention to provide a coaster and track amusement device which does not require any portion of the occupants body to be outside the coaster in order to initiate coaster movement.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a coaster which substantially encloses the occupant, and which therefore obviates the danger of inadvertent injury. I

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

Briefly stated, in accordance with the aforesaid objects, the present invention provides an amusement device comprising a track assembly including a track, having one end thereof elevated above the other, consisting of spaced apart parallel rails having a substantially convex periphery, a support assembly to which the elevated end of said track is secured, and means to support said track at a point intermediate its ends; and, a coaster adapted to move by gravitation along said track including wheels having a concave periphery defining a circumferential groove therein to receive the convex periphery of said rails.

The invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 1A are plan views of the track assembly and coaster.

FIGS. 2 and 2A are front elevations of the track assembly and coaster.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation illustrating the coaster and the tracks.

FIG. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a joint between abutting rail sections.

FIG. 6 is a partial vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of FIG. 1A.

Referring in detail to the drawings, where like numerals designate like parts throughout, the numeral 10 designates generally the track assembly, consisting of track 12 over which a coaster 100 may move by gravitation, stand assembly 14 and intermediate support assembly 16. Track 12 is composed of a number of track sections fitted together to create a track configuration having portions of varying inclination and defining a coaster course which includes dips and rises as well as straight portions.

Stand assembly 14 functions as a support assembly for the elevated end of track 12 and as a mounting platform for access to coaster 100. Assembly 14 consists of an essentially rectangular frame .composed of connected and braced leg sections. One such leg section includes legs 18 and 20 connected by horizontal supports 22 and 24. The other leg section consists of legs 26 and 28 connected by horizontal supports 30 and 32. The leg sections are spaced apart by horizontal braces 34, 36 and 38. Vertical safety support sections 40,42,44 and 46 comprise the superstructure of assembly 14. They serve as hand-holds for mounting ladder 48 and climbing into coaster 100 and as protective railings. Safety support sections 40 and 42 are sufficiently spaced apart to permit access to coaster 100 therebetween. Stopper bar 50 mounted on horizontal brace 34, comprising two vertical legs and a horizontal connector therebetween, engages a portion of coaster 100 when it is positioned for mounting on stand assembly 14.

Track 12 has one end, generally designated A, elevated above the other end, designated F, which rests on the ground. End A of track 12 is secured to stand assembly 14 at horizontal brace 34. Track 12 consists of parallel rails 52 and 54 spaced apart by separators 56. The number of separators used will vary depending upon the configuration of the track. Rails 52 and 54 are preferably fabricated of galvanized metal pipe, to prevent rusting. The individual track sections are interconnected at their ends to adjoining track sections to form the track configuration, as shown. At end F of track 12, rails 52 and 54 are flared outwardly to prevent coaster 100 from rolling off the track.

The individual sections of rails 52 or 54 are prefera bly joined together, as can best be seen in FIG. 5, using sleeve 58 as a connector between the abutting rail ends. Sleeve 58 is inserted up to half its length into each rail section and bolt 60 is inserted and secured by washer 62 and nut 64 in the aligned bolt'holes in sleeve 58 and the respective rail sections. The bolt hole openings in the upper peripheral surface of the rail sections are countersunk so that bolt 60 may be inserted therein and flush with the surface of the rail on which coaster 100 rides. Alternatively, sleeve 58 may be sweat fitted into the end of one rail section and bolted, as shown in FIG. 5, into the other rail section.

As can best be seen in FIG. 6, track separators 56 may be secured to rails 52 or 54 by aligning the bolt holes in rail 52 and separator 56, inserting bolt 66 therethrough and securing the bolt with washer 68 and nut 70. The bolt hole in the upper peripheral surface of the rail is countersunk so that bolt 66 may be inserted flush with the surface of the rail on which coaster 100 rides.

Intermediate ends A and F, track 12 is joined to support assembly 16, consisting of legs 72, 74, 76 and 78 connected at their tops by horizontal side braces 80 and 82, and horizontal end braces 84 and 86. Diagonal cross-bracing may be employed between legs 72 and 74, and legs 76 and 78, respectively, to strengthen intermediate support assembly 16.

Track assembly is preferably configured as shown in FIG. 1. Track 12, after assembly of its respective sections, is connected to stand assembly 14 by joining the non-flared ends of rails 52 and 54 to horizontal brace 34 in the same manner as has hereinbefore been disclosed for joining rails 52 or 54 to separators 56. In like manner, rails 52 and 54 may be joined to horizontal side braces 80 and 82 of intermediate support assembly 16.

In operation, a child ascends ladder 48 using vertical safety supports 40 and 42 as hand-holds to reach a standing position on horizontal side support 22. The child then sits in coaster 100 which is positioned on stand assembly 14 with its wheels straddling horizontal brace 36. The combination of the weight of coaster 100 plus the weight of the child seated therein causes the portion of rails 52 and 54 forward of brace 36 to incline downward into contact with horizontal brace 38 which is positioned about 1% inch vertically lower than brace 36. Thus, when the child releases coaster 100 from the constraints of stopper bar 50, as will be more fully described hereinafter, the slight downward inclination between braces 36 and 38 causes the coaster to begin to move. The coaster follows the configuration of track 12 accelerating rapidly at first as it moves from A to B, then more slowly from B to C, and then rapidly again from C to D. Coaster 100 will slow down as it moves uphill from D to E and then accelerate again from E to F, where it will be stopped by the frictional interaction between the outwardly flaring portions of rails 52 and 54 and the inner surfaces of the circumferential groove in the wheels of coaster 100.

Coaster 100 comprises generally rectangular side walls 102 and 104 joined by generally square front and rear walls 106 and 108, respectively. Floor 1111 encloses coaster 100 on its underside. Top portions 112 only partially enclose coaster 100, exposing compartment 126 which is adapted to house the occupant when coaster 100 is in motion. Compartment 126 is defined by side walls 102 and 104, front wall 106, floor 110 and seat 114, including a backrest portion 116 mounted between side walls 102 and 104. Handle bar assembly 118 extending into the forward portion of compartment 126 from side walls 102 and 104 is movable in an are between a vertical and a horizontal position, and is provided for the support of the occupant while coaster 100 is in motion.

Safety catch 120 is adapted for engagement with stopper bar 50 to prevent the forward movement of coaster 100 while positioned on stand assembly 14. Safety catch 120 consists of a first element attached to rear wall 108 and extending rearwardly therefrom and a second element attached at the free end of the first element. The second element, generally resembling a right triangle having a convexly arcuate hypotenuse, is mounted with its arcuate surface facing rearwardly and downwardly. When coaster 100 is backed along track 12 on stand assembly 14, the arcuate surface of safety catch 120 initially strikes the horizontal connector portion of stopper bar 50. As coaster 100 continues to move back, safety catch 120 rides-up, along its arcuate surface, onto and then drops over the horizontal connector portion, thereby securely preventing the forward movement of coaster 100 along track 12. A bent rod 122 connects safety catch to handle 124 mounted for rotation on side wall 104 within compartment 126. In order to release safety catch 120 from engagement with stopper bar 50, handle 124 is rotated in a clockwise direction. The movement of handle 124 is transmitted by rod 122 causing safety catch 120 to rotate in a clockwise direction until the second element thereof is free of stopper bar 50.

As can be most clearly seen in FIG. 3, coaster wheels have a concave peripheral surface defining a cir cumferential groove therein adapted to receive convex rails 52 and 54. Wheels 130 are mounted on shafts 132 in wheel housings 134 defined by wheel guards 136 mounted interior of floor 110 and the respective end and side walls. Also mounted on shafts 132 within housing 134 are bearing elements, such as washers 138, positioned on both sides of wheels 130. Shafts 132 extend beyond housing 134 and through side walls 102 and 104. Adjusting nut 140 and lock nut 142 are mounted on the extended portions of shafts 132. Additional support is provided for the portions of shafts 132 between left and right side wheel housings 134 by shaft supports 144 mounted on floor 110.

The speed with which coaster 100 proceeds along track 12 may be controlled by adjusting the tension of adjusting nut 140 and lock nut 142 to control the extent of frictional engagement between washers 138 and wheel guards 136 on the one hand and side walls 102 or 104 on the other. As washers 138 come into frictional contact with wheel guard 136 and side walls 102 or 104, the rotational freedom of wheel 130 is restricted and the speed which coaster 100 can attain is correspondingly decreased.

While the present invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood that numerous modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An amusement vehicle, adapted to move by gravitation along spaced-apart, parallel, substantially convex rails, comprising:

a. a pair of side walls joined by front and rear walls and enclosed on its underside by a floor, said vehicle having a partially open top, the opening in said top communicating with a compartment defined by said side walls, floor, front wall and a seat mounted between said side walls;

b. a handle-bar assembly extending into said compartment; and

c. wheels mounted on said vehicle shafts a substantially concave periphery defining a groove therein for receiving the substantially convex rails, said wheels being mounted on safts in a housing inside said side walls, said shafts extending therethrough, and means to adjust the speed of rotation of said wheels comprising bearing elements mounted on said shafts on both sides of said wheels, and locking means mounted on said shafts outside said side walls, said locking means adapted to be tightened and thereby to urge said elements into frictional engagement with said housing and said side walls.

2. An amusement vehicle, adapted to move by gravitation along spaced-apart, parallel, substantially convex rails, comprising a partially enclosed vehicle having enclosing walls and a floor defining a compartment in said vehicle, said compartment including means to support an occupant while said vehicle is in motion, and wheels mounted on said vehicle having a substantially concave periphery defining a groove therein for receiving the substantially convex rails, said wheels being mounted on shafts in a housing inside said side walls, said shafts extending therethrough, and means to adjust the speed of rotation of said wheels comprising bearing elements mounted on said shafts on both sides of said wheels, and locking means mounted on said shafts outside said side walls, said locking means adapted to be tightened and thereby to urge said elements into frictional engagement with said housing and said side walls.

3. An amusement vehicle, as claimed in claim 2, including retaining means for engaging and releasing means for disengaging said coaster from a support assembly on which it may be mounted.

4. An amusement vehicle, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said retaining means includes a safety catch extending rearward from said rear wall of said vehicle.

5. An amusement vehicle, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said releasing means includes handle means mounted within said compartment and connected to said safety catch, whereby rotation of said handle means causes said safety catch to move out of engagement with the support assembly. 

1. An amusement vehicle, adapted to move by gravitation along spaced-apart, parallel, substantially convex rails, comprising: a. a pair of side walls joined by front and rear walls and enclosed on its underside by a floor, said vehicle having a partially open top, the opening in said top communicating with a compartment defined by said side walls, floor, front wall and a seat mounted between said side walls; b. a handle-bar assembly extending into said compartment; and c. wheels mounted on said vehicle shafts a substantially concave periphery defining a groove therein for receiving the substantially convex rails, said wheels being mounted on safts in a housing inside said side walls, said shafts extending therethrough, and means to adjust the speed of rotation of said wheels comprising bearing elements mounted on said shafts on both sides of said wheels, and locking means mounted on said shafts outside said side walls, said locking means adapted to be tightened and thereby to urge said elements into frictional engagement with said housing and said side walls.
 2. An amusement vehicle, adapted to move by gravitation along spaced-apart, parallel, substantially convex rails, comprising a partially enclosed vehicle having enclosing walls and a floor defining a compartment in said vehicle, said compartment including means to support an occupant while said vehicle is in motion, and wheels mounted on said vehicle having a substantially concave periphery defining a groove therein for receiving the substantially convex rails, said wheels being mounted on shafts in a housing inside said side walls, said shafts extending therethrough, and means to adjust the speed of rotation of said wheels comprising bearing elements mounted on said shafts on both sides of said wheels, and locking means mounted on said shafts outside said side walls, said locking means adapted to be tightened and thereby to urge said elements into frictional engagement with said housing and said side walls.
 3. An amusement vehicle, as claimed in claim 2, including retaining means for engaging and releasing means for disengaging said coaster from a support assembly on which it may be mounted.
 4. An amusement vehicle, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said retaining means includes a safety catch extending rearward from said rear wall of said vehicle.
 5. An amusement vehicle, as claimed in claim 4, wherEin said releasing means includes handle means mounted within said compartment and connected to said safety catch, whereby rotation of said handle means causes said safety catch to move out of engagement with the support assembly. 